I happened to be reading an older post by one of my favorite reviewers/bloggers Jenre over at Well Read Reviews. She was commenting on how she feels when a writer doesn't respond to one of her reviews. She's a reviewer who sends the writer a little note when she does a review (a lot of reviewers don't do this, by the way).
It was fascinating reading this from the other side. I started to reply to her in the comment section (something bloggers like, by the way) and I said this:
Well, I wish I'd seen this post sooner because if I don't get pointed to a blog and a post and a review, I don't know about them until I do a periodic sweep for my weblord. But this is a fascinating post.
I come from a writing tradition where you don't acknowledge reviews. At most you send a curt little thanks! because it's all supposed to be very professional and hands off.
But here in the blogosphere that just seems weird and unfriendly. This is a different world. For one thing, reviews are much less...shall we say, standardized.
And then it occurred to me that this was actually a good topic for me to blog on, seeing that I do have a blog due today that I, er, forgot about.
So, where was I?
Oh. Here in Bloglandia, it's a bit looser and more casual. It's friendlier, but it's also the Gateway to Psychoville. Terrific smart, funny, insightful people have blogs and talk about books and writing -- and so do people who have been off their meds for way too long. Sometimes you can't always tell the difference. At first.
Initially I ignored all reviews because that's the way we did it back when I was a whippersnapper. But...these bloggers were so...friendly. So personable -- and personal -- that I started leaving little comments.
Hey, thanks for the review! Glad you enjoyed the book!
Sometimes bloggers responded, sometimes they didn't. Granted, I was often finding these reviews months, sometimes years later. I don't look for reviews of my work except in giant sweeps of a particular title and then I'm going through so fast, and reading so many, the occasional negatives are instantly dismissed in an Olive You're-Lucky-You're-an-Idiot! moment.
(Negative reviews are are always best ignored, anyway. What's the point of engaging in dialog with someone who doesn't like your work? You're not going to reason her or him out of it.)
It's a dilemma for a writer. If a reviewer contacts me and says, I just reviewed your INSERT LATEST TITLE HERE, I will usually send a quick thank you (without even looking at the thing) and file the email for when I do my quarterly sweep for website material. If I know the blogger -- if it's Jesse Wave or Jenre or Sarah or Book Utopia, I'll try to remember to leave a comment on the blog. I don't comment on the "professional" review sites. It just doesn't feel right. Mostly, unless invited, I don't comment on the personal book blogs either. These mini-reviews or thinking alouds aren't aimed at me, and I feel like it's going to make bloggers, reviewers uncomfortable if I suddenly intrude.
Granted, sometimes I'm in a chatty mood, and I'll pop in and say hi and thanks, but it's fairly rare.
I always respond to personal email. End of story. I try to respond to every comment on my blogs too, but sometimes it gets out of hand. Still, a review is a little different. Or is it? Jenre's thoughts on this were interesting to me.
Although it's certainly true that reviews are for readers, not writers, I do think -- given the sometimes heated tone of reviews -- reviewers hope to help influence writers, books, writing, publishing. They want to see more of the kind of things they like to read, and less of the kind of thing, they don't. That's reasonable.
So one of the questions for today is, suppose a reviewer contacts you with a link to a review that seems to totally miss the point? Or a negative review? I've occasionally had that happen. Someone will send a link, I'll read the review and think...hmmmm.
I've generally already thanked them by then, so it's kind of moot for me, but I often wonder why the reviewer would bring a lukewarm or negative review to a writer's attention. What is the reviewer's expectation with a negative review? Does the reviewer hope to open a dialog? Is the reviewer simply doing the professional courtesy of...here, you should know this. Is it an aggressive move? Let's face it, being able to read and run a blog is not proof of sanity. I'm case in point.
What do you think? Should writers respond to reviews? Should they comment on blogs that mention their books? Should reviewers alert writers that they've written reviews? What do they hope for from that interacton? Should bloggers alert writers to their negative reviews? And, if so, what do they hope for in the way of a writer response?
16 comments:
Josh, I usually leave a "thanks for taking the time to read and review my book" sort of comment if the reviewer notifies me of the review.
I have show dogs, and there's a very rigid protocol with judges that I carry over into book reviews.
In dog shows, if a judge gives your dog a significant win, they expect a photo of them awarding the ribbon to the winning dog. (This is for their personal records.) However, it's a big breech of manners to send a note thanking the judge for the win. So instead of thanking the judge for the win, I thank them for taking the time to judge my dog. That's now how I handle reviews.
I've never been certain of review protocol, but have had publishers tell me to always thank reviewers, for the good or bad. And as a general rule, they did take the time to read the book, and then comment. (Though sometimes I have my doubts about the reading part! LOL!)
Belinda
Josh, I'm not a reviewer so I have no idea about what they expect...but as a writer, I'm happy when someone sends me a note to say they've reviewed my book. Saves me the time searching and I've got the link handy.
I'll claim my deep south heritage for my manners. I always respond with a thank you, whether I've seen it or not, but I try to look at it and then mention something from it that struck me as nice. But then again, I may be the only mom who makes her kids write thank you notes for gifts at birthdays and Christmas.
I've only had a few "less than enthusiastic reviews", and like my mama taught me, that's the time my southern training comes in handy. I thank them and move on.
Some reviewers have dropped hints and said, "leave a post" and I do. Sometimes, just that will open the door to someone reading the review, chatting with me, and perhaps another sale. Who knows?
Like mama said, it doesn't hurt to be polite. And since you're putting your professional face forward, might as well do it with a smile.
I don't review much these days, but I generally preferred keeping it between me and other readers when I wrote a review.
Occasionally I'd love a book so much I had to send the author a link to my review, and it was fun to have the author stop by and say they were glad I enjoyed the book, but I didn't expect it. With a negative review, I always hoped the author would never see it. And if an author randomly stopped by and commented on one of my reviews uninvited (usually bc of a google alert), that just felt weird.
But I'm odd, and that's certainly no secret in the blogging/Twitter community.
Hey Belinda, that's really interesting about the show dog protocol (and as an aside, did you ever see the movie BEST IN SHOW?) *g*
I digress.
Aside from the automatic thank you I give everyone, I "reward" reviewers by posting snippets on my high traffic website. I get a lot of hits both daily and weekly, so I figure the snippets are good for me and good for advertising the reviewers. I've started even using the reviewer's "name" if I especially like their work in a review. (That's new though, so a lot of great reviews are up without referencing a particular reviewer).
I think conscientious, smart reviewers should be encouraged and promoted. But, truthfully, we writers are looking for something different in a review - we use them for promotional purposes - so I may think a review is well-written but if it doesn't have anything useful for my promotional purposes, I don't cite it. Other times, a generally weak review will have a good soundbyte, so that will go on my site. Marketing and promo is its own animal.
There are also a handful of reviewers who I know that even if they don't like a particular title of mine, do appreciate my work, so I trust their judgment. I "reward" those reviewers by automatically sending them all my new titles, to review or not as they choose -- and however they see fit. It might not sound like a "reward," but a lot of these reviewers would buy all my books, so it's something small I can do for them in return.
Criticism from a trusted source doesn't bother me -- far from it. It's helpful.
Just a little addendum onto my post, Josh. I don't email authors when I've posted a very negative review. That would be too cruel and why would I want to ruin someone's day like that? It's like the final nail in the coffin of a negative review and would seem as though I'm rubbing their nose in it. Negative reviews, on the whole, are for readers - to perhaps advise them to spend their money elsewhere. However, a well written negative review should always give reasons as to why the reviewer didn't like the book and perhaps those reasons can be used by an author to hone their writing in the future, especially if the objections were based on failings in writing technique rather than a dislike of the characters or situation.
My reasoning for emailing authors is that it's a bit like fan mail. I liked their book, I wrote lots of nice stuff about it in a review so it seems polite to let the author know. To be honest it never occurred to me that I may be being gauche or that it's perhaps 'not the done thing'. Judging from many of the email responses I've had over the last few months, authors seem to like it when I tell them of a review. It saves them finding out about it through the rather unreliable Google Alerts. Besides, what author wouldn't like to know that someone had read and enjoyed their book?
I'll claim my deep south heritage for my manners. I always respond with a thank you, whether I've seen it or not, but I try to look at it and then mention something from it that struck me as nice. But then again, I may be the only mom who makes her kids write thank you notes for gifts at birthdays and Christmas.
That's a nice way to handle it. Lynn. I do try to personalize if the reviewer is known to me. Time is always a factor in these things too, of course.
The thing about "negative" reviews is often a writer will see something as more negative than the reviewer does. Or the review will even contradict itself. Words like "brilliant" and "highly recommend" will show up in a three star review. Which is a major reason I stopped referencing stars or percentages or any ratings on the snippets I quote. They're meaningless in the larger picture.
My reasoning for emailing authors is that it's a bit like fan mail. I liked their book, I wrote lots of nice stuff about it in a review so it seems polite to let the author know. To be honest it never occurred to me that I may be being gauche or that it's perhaps 'not the done thing'. Judging from many of the email responses I've had over the last few months, authors seem to like it when I tell them of a review. It saves them finding out about it through the rather unreliable Google Alerts. Besides, what author wouldn't like to know that someone had read and enjoyed their book?
You're absolutely right about all of the above. And here, in ebook and indie publishing, this is how it's handled. A writer who doesn't respond is considered rude or stuck up.
That's the impression I'm getting, anyway.
And I've met some very good friends through this casual reviewing process -- in a way that would never evolve in mainstream publishing.
I'm kind of glad you don't send the emails on the negative reviews, because that does feel really weird as an author -- as in why are you wanting me to know this? It's like going up to someone in a crowd and saying, "Hi, I think you're ugly!"
Are you hoping for a fight? Or is it a cultural difference...like belching to show appreciation of fine cooking? Who knows.
And if an author randomly stopped by and commented on one of my reviews uninvited (usually bc of a google alert), that just felt weird.
I can see that.
It's weird on the author side too. Because you do tend to feel connected to your work, and so it's always this little shock -- sometimes pleasant, sometimes not -- to find out of the blue that someone is discussing you or your work. I've commented impulsively (never on anything negative as that *would* seem somehow stalkerish) but even on positives, I've often regretted it. Not that the blogger wasn't usually gracious or even flattered, but it's like suddenly bursting into a private conversation. Even if the conversation is about you, it still seems sort of...rude.
Psychoville is my favorite Jimmy Buffet song!
Actually I don't want any authors to respond to my reviews at all. You never know who's watching and that might make you a target. Just send money in small bills please for the lawyer.
I always imagine someone somewhere secretly prints out every treasured utterance I make and saves them in their photo album next to the nude pictures of Leif Garrett as memories of the good times.
Whenever I blog I always assume I am just babbling away to myself... AGAIN. But if you or anyone else wants to stop by and stare at the idiot talking to himself you are more than welcome.
I am always saying something.
I always imagine someone somewhere secretly prints out every treasured utterance I make and saves them in their photo album next to the nude pictures of Leif Garrett as memories of the good times.
B-b-b-but that's ME. *g*
I am always saying something.
Indeed you are. And generally either informative or entertaining it is, too. Sometimes both!
I do generally send authors a link to the reviews I posted. Absolutely if the book was given to me for review, but most of the time I do it anyways as a courtesy if I really liked a book and want an author to know I appreciated the great read.
Do I expect a response? No. Feel free to say 'thanks' if you want to, but my reviews are addressed to my fellow readers and are not for the edification of authors.
Now, if I send an email to an author asking a question about a book, I expect a response. It doesn't have to be right away- people are busy- but a reply would be polite. I'm not requesting authors be my best friends or pen pals and write me long love notes of mutual admiration or anything.
Dunno, really. I always feel intrusive about sending unsolicited comments or emails to people who don't know me from a hole in the wall. At the same time, the internet has sort of made the old mysterious author hidden away in their mountain fastness cliche de trop.
I do generally send authors a link to the reviews I posted. Absolutely if the book was given to me for review, but most of the time I do it anyways as a courtesy if I really liked a book and want an author to know I appreciated the great read.
Oh yes, if an author has sent you a book it's only polite to let them know -- and for them to respond one way or the other (either through a comment or an email -- maybe both).
Do I expect a response? No. Feel free to say 'thanks' if you want to, but my reviews are addressed to my fellow readers and are not for the edification of authors.
If an author has asked you to review, it seems only courteous to respond -- even if the author doesn't care for the review. But if it's just a review out of the blue, then I think it's more of a gray area.
Now, if I send an email to an author asking a question about a book, I expect a response. It doesn't have to be right away- people are busy- but a reply would be polite. I'm not requesting authors be my best friends or pen pals and write me long love notes of mutual admiration or anything.
It's surprising how many readers say authors don't respond to them. I don't mean major authors, I mean authors on my level. I wonder if it's true or it's an email glitch or what?
Dunno, really. I always feel intrusive about sending unsolicited comments or emails to people who don't know me from a hole in the wall. At the same time, the internet has sort of made the old mysterious author hidden away in their mountain fastness cliche de trop
Yes and no. I think, as Jenre pointed out, most people are pleased to know their work is being read and enjoyed. Being notified that your work is read and NOT enjoyed, seems a bit more intrusive and personal. It's one thing to stumble on such a review, but to have someone go out of their way to let you know they don't like your work feels hostile. I'm guessing that this is relatively rare, though. I've heard alarming stories from reviewers about being attacked or stalked by crazy authors and their fans, so I imagine most reviewers wouldn't go out of their way to advertise a negative reaction?
Although some people do love attention. Even the hostile kind.
I always imagine someone somewhere secretly prints out every treasured utterance I make and saves them in their photo album next to the nude pictures of Leif Garrett as memories of the good times.
That would be me, love. I was saving it for your Christmas prezzie. You always ruin the surprise, Tpig.
Joshie--Nice post, Pal. Back when I was a savvy young girl reviewer, I would sometimes send an author a note about a review. You meet the most curious people that way, btw. But I said then, and I still believe it now that reviewing is SO not EVER going to happen again, reviews are for readers.
I appreciate the time and effort anyone takes reviewing my books--for better or for worse--because I know first hand how running a review site is a labor of love.
I don't always comment, although sometimes I drop an email.
L
Joshie--Nice post, Pal. Back when I was a savvy young girl reviewer,
You were. You were one of the best. Or as the guy says in Shane, "He was fast, fast on the draw, Joey."
(Maybe you had to be there.)
A St. Martin's editor recently told me to treat reviews as part of a resume, and include them (if relevant) in a query. And oddly, my 3 star reviews tend to have the best soundbytes...go figure.
As to Best In Show...well, most of the handlers and judges in the movie are real, and well known to me...LOL! The judge in the decorative twisted headband still wears that headband, and will till she dies! LOL!
I have Siberian Huskies, and there was a well known Sibe in the ring at some point. It was a really, really surreal movie.
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